Children in New Religions [Paperback]

Susan J. Palmer (Editor), Charlotte E. Hardman (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 1999

The late 1960s and early 1970s constituted a remarkable period for spiritual experimentation and for the proliferation of new religious groups. Now the children born into these religions have come of age. While their parents made the decision as adults to embrace alternative religious practices, the children have been raised with a very different orientation toward the larger society. While they take their religious communities for granted, many of these children gaze with curiosity at the surrounding secular world which their parents, not they, chose to reject. The contributors to this volume examine children from many different alternative religious movements worldwide, including The Family, Hare Krishna, Wiccans, and Pagans, Messianic Communities, and the Rajneesh (Osho) Movement. The essays explore two general questions: 1) What impact does the presence of children have on a new religion's lifestyle and chance of surviving into the future? 2) Is child abuse more likely to occur in unconventional religions, or are children born into them, the 'new' religions have grown up and have become an important and rapidly changing social force that we cannot reasonably dismiss or wisely ignore

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"As new and alternative religions become standard fixtures in society, understanding their children becomes an important key to understanding their future. This wonderfully rich, panoramic book provides that key." - Timothy Miller, professor of religious studies, University of Kansas. -- Timothy Miller

"What happens to a new religious movement of 'born again converts' when it has to cope with its 'born into' children? What happens to the kids as they grow up? This important book provides a unique and long-awaited opportunity to learn about the second-generation membership of a wide range of alternative religions." - Eileen Barker, FBA, professor of sociology, London School of Economics. -- Eileen Barker

From the Back Cover

The late 1960s and early 1970s constituted a remarkable period for spiritual experimentation and for the proliferation of new religious groups. Now the children born into these religions have come of age. While their parents made the decision as adults to embrace alternative religious practices, the children have been raised with a very different orientation toward the larger society. While they take their religious communities for granted, many of these children gaze with curiosity at the surrounding secular world which their parents, not they, chose to reject.

The contributors to this volume examine children from many different alternative religious movements worldwide, including The Family, Hare Krishna, Wiccans, and Pagans, Messianic Communities, and the Rajneesh (Osho) Movement. The essays explore two general questions: 1) What impact does the presence of children have on a new religion's lifestyle and chance of surviving into the future? 2) Is child abuse more likely to occur in unconventional religions, or are children born into them, the 'new' religions have grown up and have become an important and rapidly changing social force that we cannot reasonably dismiss or wisely ignore.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 270 pages
• Publisher: Rutgers University Press (June 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0813526205
• ISBN-13: 978-0813526201
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,777,136 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Well organized and thoughtful, August 11, 2006

By 

P. Christmas (Texas) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Children in New Religions (Paperback)

As a Wiccan mother, I think the chapter by Helen Berger could have gone into more depth and perhaps been somewhat more critical. There are questions that were raised and briefly touched upon that should have been given more thought and questions that could have been raised that were not. Overall, however, I found the book interesting and useful.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars More academic than practical, June 28, 2007

By 

Nancy E. Hasten (Indiana, USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Children in New Religions (Paperback)

While this is a skillfully written book that covers an eclectic list of religions, it is more of a sociology textbook than a guide for the layperson. The writing is of an academic nature, and focuses on the historical and current treatment of children's needs within these groups.

While this is a valid focus for the book, it is not particularly helpful for someone trying to find ways of raising their own children, and the academic style of writing makes the reading of this book more of an effort than a pleasure. A person looking for advice on parenting would do well to look elsewhere.

However, if you're looking for information on the ways of life within these religions (of which Wicca would seem to be the most well-known), and are willing to put a bit of effort into your reading, this may be the book for you.